Current conference
Autumn 2011
Venue: Kenwood Hall, Sheffield
Date: Friday 23 September 2011
Title: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Subtitle: How expert evidence can make or break a case
On-line Booking Form • Booking Form (PDF) • Programme (PDF)
Pleasure and Pain
Every expert providing opinion evidence, whether as a report or in person, will have experienced pleasure and pain in proportion to the measure of success achieved in accurately transmitting the proper understanding of technical or otherwise specialized information. We have all sensed the satisfaction that accompanies the observation of correct interpretation of our opinions by lawyer, judge or jury and, just as much, the frustration that follows a hostile and seemingly perverse cross-examination when, having completed our evidence, we hear it being presented in a distorted and misleading manner. Worse yet, though doubtless only witnessed in others, the disastrous effects of frankly bad expert opinion, whether unwittingly given or otherwise.
These, then, are the good, bad and ugly faces of expert evidence. The Society autumn conference sets out to deal with them by a combination of keynote lectures by eminent speakers and exemplary case presentations by members, drawn from the accumulated experience of numerous instructions over many years.
Review and Redress
Good and bad evidence is open to reconsideration by the justice system by means of the safeguards inculcated in the various review mechanisms available, such as appeal, judicial review or referral. It is unusual, however, for experts to find themselves involved in such hearings so this is an important opportunity to gain insight into the workings of this part of the system.
Until 1997 the Home Secretary dealt with applications by people claiming to be victims of miscarriages of justice. Following the 1993 Royal Commission on Criminal Justice’s report, the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 was passed, enabling the establishment of the Criminal Cases Review Commission as an executive Non-Departmental Public Body. The Society is, indeed, fortunate in having one of the commissioners, Ms Julie Goulding, to present a keynote address dealing with the effects of good and bad expert evidence on the proper administration of justice. Ms Goulding is an experienced lawyer, who trained at Hempsons, a firm well known for its special expertise in defending doctors and dentists in both civil and criminal cases. She joined the Commission in January 2007.
Ups and Downs of an Expert
The second keynote address is by Dr Martin Mansell, who is widely known for his extensive work as an expert in the diagnosis & treatment of kidney diseases. He has taken part in an impressive array of cases including a wide variety of personal injury claims & professional negligence allegations. Drawing on his wealth of experience, he will illustrate, from the expert’s viewpoint, the highs and lows that can be encountered.
We’ve Seen It All
A selection of experts from the Society’s membership has been arranged to recount entertaining and instructive episodes from their extensive cumulative experience. They have been selected to cover a broad range of fields of expertise and include Edward Josse, Society Chairman and Forensic Medical Examiner; David Dyson, legally qualified Firearms Consultant; Frazer Imrie, Forensic Biologist specializing in food cargo damage; Robert Douglas, Respiratory Physiologist specializing in diseases acquired in the workplace; and Paul Croft, Road Crash Investigator.
Opportunities to question
The customary (and always lively) open forum session offers the ideal opportunity for you to question, learn and discuss within a friendly and supportive environment. This can continue – or not, as you prefer, as you socialize with your colleagues at the Society reception and dinner.
Hands-on Workshop training
Saturday morning brings you the opportunity to benefit from a morning of high quality, hands-on training from experienced expert witnesses. Our workshops are just the place to air questions within a small group of like-minded colleagues and to gain valuable knowledge on practical aspects of your work as an expert. There will be two workshops for you to choose from:
- Fees, Charges and Getting Paid
- Developing and Marketing your Expert Practice
You can complete and submit your booking form on line or download it and send in by post. You will be invoiced when it arrives at the Society’s office and a receipted invoice and conference pack with further details of the venue and programme will be sent with your booking confirmation as soon as payment is received.
If you have any queries about our 2011 Autumn Conference, do please call Teresa on 0845 702 3014.